Alphabet Superset 2023-2024
Alphabet Superset is a creative challenge birthed by Campbell Walker (AKA Struthless) to supercharge creativity with constraints. These are my responses.
I started doing Alphatbet superset to help me get in the habit of creating in small scale more consistently. My constraints were limited to the media in a Sketchpro pack from Jazza Studios, my sketchbook that I wanted to fill for the year and my topic was flowers with the first letter being of the alphabet letter for that week for 26 weeks.
Self Reflection
Now that the challenge is over, how did it feel?
This challenge led me through a lot of self discovery. I learned to practice organic shapes, what I liked and disliked, as well as what I was drawn to in my reference images; which was often color. It felt good to finish each page and post it online as a personal achievement. My sketchbook became a common and sacred place for inspiration and brainstorming. It was a wonderful and fulfilling struggle to do this long term project.
How was the end result? Are you proud of it?
The end result surprised me in some aspects, yet completely predictable in the grand scheme of things. I did struggle to finish pages on time often however, mostly due to my Europe trip. Otherwise I could not stay in my confinements. I am constantly creating or thinking of future projects with different materials. Surprisingly what I missed most was the use of color. I was proud of this achievement entirely.
What projects came to mind when creating these drawings?
Other projects that came to mind were more flower drawings. I absolutely enjoyed each flower that I drew as a study. I only wanted to do more. I also wanted to play with inks again in a large piece. As I grew bored with the different ways to use ink and gray scale, I loved just playing with ink. Dropping it in a pool of water to watch it expand. Also to take a sprayer bottle and watch the ink explode on the page.
Did you use more or less time than alotted?
It depended on the study and what was going on in life at the time. Some days it would only take me a few hours while others I would spend the whole week. I found the cluster-like flowers to be the most frustrating in that regard.
Did your social media improve? Your website?
My social media improved quite a bit after this project. This was because I was posting consistently and forming connections with other artists. If I were to change one thing about it, I would have filmed my process a bit more. Progress pictures were my way of staying accountable. My website views did not improve with this project.